The West Bengal government has broadened the scope of its ‘Yogyashree’ scheme to include students from minority, OBC, and general categories, announced Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee. Originally launched in January to offer free training for engineering and medical courses exclusively to SC and ST students, the scheme has seen notable success in benefiting these marginalized communities. However, Banerjee emphasized the importance of extending these benefits to a wider range of students, hence the decision to include those from minority, OBC, and general categories.
Highlighting the achievements of the program in 2024, Banerjee shared that ‘Yogyashree’ trainees secured 23 ranks in JEE (Advanced), including 13 IIT seats, in addition to 75 ranks in JEE (Main), 432 ranks in WBJEE, and 110 ranks in NEET. Recognizing the invaluable support provided by this training to disadvantaged students, the government has decided to expand the initiative. This expansion involves increasing the number of centers to 50 and accommodating 2,000 supported trainees. Furthermore, the training will commence from Class XI onwards to ensure a more comprehensive and effective preparation.
Banerjee expressed her optimism about the prospects of enabling more students from underprivileged backgrounds to pursue careers in engineering and medicine. She asserted, “Let our boys and girls from the weaker sections be engineers and doctors in larger numbers.” This move underscores the government’s commitment to fostering inclusive education and providing equal opportunities for all students, regardless of their socio-economic background. By widening the reach of the ‘Yogyashree’ scheme, the West Bengal government aims to empower a broader spectrum of students and contribute to the overall development of the state.
Source: PTI
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